US8243446B2 - Photovoltaic inverter - Google Patents

Photovoltaic inverter Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US8243446B2
US8243446B2 US12/722,181 US72218110A US8243446B2 US 8243446 B2 US8243446 B2 US 8243446B2 US 72218110 A US72218110 A US 72218110A US 8243446 B2 US8243446 B2 US 8243446B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
inverter
cooling unit
temperature
enclosure
power output
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active, expires
Application number
US12/722,181
Other versions
US20110222242A1 (en
Inventor
Christopher Thompson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA
Original Assignee
First Solar Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by First Solar Inc filed Critical First Solar Inc
Priority to US12/722,181 priority Critical patent/US8243446B2/en
Assigned to FIRST SOLAR, INC. reassignment FIRST SOLAR, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: THOMPSON, CHRISTOPHER
Priority to PCT/US2011/027838 priority patent/WO2011112777A1/en
Publication of US20110222242A1 publication Critical patent/US20110222242A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US8243446B2 publication Critical patent/US8243446B2/en
Assigned to JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. reassignment JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
Assigned to JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. reassignment JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT APPLICATION 13/895113 ERRONEOUSLY ASSIGNED BY FIRST SOLAR, INC. TO JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. ON JULY 19, 2013 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 030832 FRAME 0088. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CORRECT PATENT APPLICATION TO BE ASSIGNED IS 13/633664. Assignors: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
Assigned to JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT reassignment JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Assignors: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
Assigned to FIRST SOLAR, INC. reassignment FIRST SOLAR, INC. TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Assignors: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Assigned to FIRST SOLAR, INC. reassignment FIRST SOLAR, INC. TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Assignors: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Assigned to JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT reassignment JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FIRST SOLAR, INC.
Active legal-status Critical Current
Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
    • H05K7/20—Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating
    • H05K7/2089—Modifications to facilitate cooling, ventilating, or heating for power electronics, e.g. for inverters for controlling motor
    • H05K7/20945—Thermal management, e.g. inverter temperature control

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a DC to AC inverter used in a solar cell power system having an improved control scheme for cooling itself and optimizing power output.
  • a solar module-based power system uses an inverter to convert direct current (DC) from a photovoltaic array into alternating current (AC) for use with home appliances or possibly a utility grid.
  • Inverters can be cooled to be overdriven to increase power output over a rated power output.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the connection of parts in the solar power system.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the connection of parts in the solar power system.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the inverter overdrive.
  • An inverter can be used in a solar module-based power system to convert direct current (DC) from a photovoltaic (PV) array into alternating current (AC) for use with home appliances or an alternating-current utility grid.
  • Inverters are rated for operation at a temperature point (typically 50 degrees C.). Operating temperature can be optimized to provide even better performance that that obtained at the rated temperature, to increase the current capabilities of a given inverter.
  • a DC to AC inverter unit having an improved control scheme for cooling itself and optimizing its power output is described. With the improved control scheme, an improvement in the power output capabilities and efficiency can be achieved.
  • a DC to AC inverter unit can include an enclosure, a DC to AC inverter within the enclosure, an input power sensor configured to monitor input power, a temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature within the enclosure, a cooling unit in thermal communication with the inverter, and a cooling unit controller.
  • the inverter can have a rated power output at a first temperature within the enclosure.
  • the cooling unit controller can be capable of adjusting the cooling unit based on the input power and the temperature within the enclosure.
  • the cooling unit controller can adjust the cooling unit to maintain the inverter at a second temperature sufficient to allow the inverter to be overdriven to have an optimized power output over the rated power output.
  • the cooling unit can include a cooling air fan.
  • the cooling unit can include an air conditioner.
  • the DC to AC inverter unit can further include a DC input from a solar module to the DC to AC inverter.
  • the cooling unit controller can adjust the cooling unit to maintain the inverter at a second temperature sufficient to allow the inverter to be overdriven to increase power output by at least 5% or at least 15% over the rated power output.
  • the DC to AC inverter unit of claim 1 wherein the cooling unit controller adjusts the cooling unit to keep the temperature in the enclosure below about 50 degrees C., 30 degrees C., or 20 degrees C.
  • a method of cooling a DC to AC inverter can include measuring the temperature inside an enclosure cooled by a cooling unit, the enclosure including a DC to AC inverter having a rated power output at a first temperature.
  • the DC to AC inverter can be electrically connected to a photovoltaic array.
  • the method can include measuring the voltage output of the photovoltaic array.
  • the method can include controlling the cooling unit based on the temperature inside the enclosure and the voltage output of the photovoltaic array.
  • the cooling unit can include a cooling air fan.
  • the cooling unit can include an air conditioner.
  • Controlling the cooling unit can include maintaining the inverter at a second temperature sufficient to allow the inverter to be overdriven to increase power output by at least 5% or at least 15% over the rated power output.
  • Controlling the cooling unit comprises maintaining the temperature in the enclosure below about 50 degrees C., 30 degrees C., or 20 degrees C.
  • Inverters are rated for operation at a temperature point (typically 50 degrees C.). Operating temperature can be optimized to provide even better performance that that obtained at the rated temperature, to increase the current capabilities of a given inverter. For example, an inverter might be able to provide 100% of capacity up to 50 degree C. However at 40 degree C. it may be able to provide 115% of capacity.
  • these inverters are often installed inside an enclosure that provides environmental protection. The enclosure can have both fan cooling and air conditioning. When the temperate is not very high, the enclosure can only run fans to bring in outdoor air that can be used to cool the inverter. Under hot conditions, the fans turn off and a separate air conditioning system is run. Air conditioning uses a lot of power so running air conditioning results in reduced photovoltaic array output power.
  • solar power system 100 can include photovoltaic or solar array 110 .
  • Solar modules 110 can be arranged in any suitable manner, for example, in arrays positioned on the ground or on rooftops.
  • Solar array 110 can include any suitable photovoltaic devices, including thin-film solar devices such as cadmium telluride (CdTe) or copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS).
  • the photovoltaic devices can be crystalline silicon solar devices or any other suitable photovoltaic devices capable of generating direct current electricity.
  • DC electric current generated by photovoltaic array 110 can output to DC to AC inverter 140 by cable 120 .
  • DC to AC inverter 140 can include any suitable apparatus or combination which can convert DC current from a photovoltaic array to AC current.
  • DC to AC inverter 140 can include any suitable mechanical device, electromechanical device, electrical or electronic device, or any suitable combination thereof.
  • DC to AC inverter 140 can include a modified sine wave inverter.
  • DC to AC inverter 140 can include a pure sine wave inverter.
  • DC to AC inverter 140 can include a generator, alternator, or motor, or any suitable combination thereof.
  • DC to AC inverter 140 can include a solid-state inverter.
  • DC to AC inverter 140 can be installed in enclosure 130 .
  • Solar power system 100 can include cooling unit 150 . Cooling unit can include an air fan or air conditioner. Solar power system 100 can include cooling unit controller 160 .
  • the inverter units typically have a very simple cooling system that turn on the air conditioner when the temperature reaches a certain set point. For example it could be set to 40 degree C. and at that point the air conditioner would be turn on. Below that temperature, the air conditioner will be off. However this one variable control scheme does not factor in the true performance capability of the inverter. If the PV array is not producing much power, then the inverter could potentially run to 50 degree C. without air conditioning. In such case the air conditioning can be stay off. Similarly, if the PV array is producing a lot of power, it can be advantageous to cool the inverter and harvest the extra power.
  • the AC could be turned on to cool the inverter to 30 degree C., at which point the inverter may be able to be run at 125%.
  • this invention can have the controls embedded into the inverter or the controls could be external to the inverter. This enables the inverter to harvest the most power but use the AC the least amount possible.
  • cooling unit 150 can include air fan 151 and air conditioner 152 .
  • Temperature sensor 170 can be positioned adjacent to the inverter. Temperature sensor 170 can be configured to monitor the temperature within the enclosure.
  • Input power sensor 180 can be configured to monitor input power.
  • Cooling unit controller 160 can be capable of controlling cooling unit 150 based on the input power and the temperature within the enclosure. In some embodiments, cooling unit controller 160 can control cooling unit 150 to maintain the inverter at a temperature sufficient to allow the inverter to be overdriven to have an optimized power output over the rated power output.
  • FIG. 3 includes a graphical representation of how an inverter can be overdriven in accordance with the present invention by the improved control scheme.
  • Overdrive means the inverter can be maintained at a lower temperature to allow the inverter to expand power output capacity higher than the rated power output capacity.
  • This invention allows overdrive to be enabled as much as possible without the need for air conditioning. Air conditioning can be activated, for example, when the PV array is producing a lot of power.
  • Normal operation region 401 represents the cases that the unit can still run without air conditioning if the load of the inverter is less than 100%.
  • Free overdrive region 402 represents the cases that the unit can still be overdriven without turning on air conditioning.
  • Forced overdrive region 403 represents the cases that the unit can only possibly be overdriven by using air conditioning.
  • the external cooling source can be an air conditioning module, an air circulation module, or any suitable means of lowering the “ambient” temperature.
  • the increased inverter output obtainable by the present invention can result in various efficiencies.
  • selective overdriving of inverters can result in capturing of previously wasted photovoltaic array output during “clipping” period.
  • fewer inverters can be overdriven as necessary to equal the combined output of a greater number of inverters driven strictly in accordance with the nameplate rating.
  • smaller capacity inverters can be overdriven to equal the output of an equal number of larger capacity (according to nameplate rating) inverters.
  • air conditioning can be off to achieve higher efficiency, for example, during the simultaneous conditions of low output of PV array and high temperature.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Inverter Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A DC to AC inverter used in a solar cell power system can include an improved control scheme for cooling itself and optimizing power output.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a DC to AC inverter used in a solar cell power system having an improved control scheme for cooling itself and optimizing power output.
BACKGROUND
A solar module-based power system uses an inverter to convert direct current (DC) from a photovoltaic array into alternating current (AC) for use with home appliances or possibly a utility grid. Inverters can be cooled to be overdriven to increase power output over a rated power output.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the connection of parts in the solar power system.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the connection of parts in the solar power system.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the inverter overdrive.
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
An inverter can be used in a solar module-based power system to convert direct current (DC) from a photovoltaic (PV) array into alternating current (AC) for use with home appliances or an alternating-current utility grid. Inverters are rated for operation at a temperature point (typically 50 degrees C.). Operating temperature can be optimized to provide even better performance that that obtained at the rated temperature, to increase the current capabilities of a given inverter. A DC to AC inverter unit having an improved control scheme for cooling itself and optimizing its power output is described. With the improved control scheme, an improvement in the power output capabilities and efficiency can be achieved.
In one aspect, a DC to AC inverter unit can include an enclosure, a DC to AC inverter within the enclosure, an input power sensor configured to monitor input power, a temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature within the enclosure, a cooling unit in thermal communication with the inverter, and a cooling unit controller. The inverter can have a rated power output at a first temperature within the enclosure. The cooling unit controller can be capable of adjusting the cooling unit based on the input power and the temperature within the enclosure. The cooling unit controller can adjust the cooling unit to maintain the inverter at a second temperature sufficient to allow the inverter to be overdriven to have an optimized power output over the rated power output. The cooling unit can include a cooling air fan. The cooling unit can include an air conditioner. The DC to AC inverter unit can further include a DC input from a solar module to the DC to AC inverter.
The cooling unit controller can adjust the cooling unit to maintain the inverter at a second temperature sufficient to allow the inverter to be overdriven to increase power output by at least 5% or at least 15% over the rated power output. The DC to AC inverter unit of claim 1, wherein the cooling unit controller adjusts the cooling unit to keep the temperature in the enclosure below about 50 degrees C., 30 degrees C., or 20 degrees C.
In another aspect, a method of cooling a DC to AC inverter can include measuring the temperature inside an enclosure cooled by a cooling unit, the enclosure including a DC to AC inverter having a rated power output at a first temperature. The DC to AC inverter can be electrically connected to a photovoltaic array. The method can include measuring the voltage output of the photovoltaic array. The method can include controlling the cooling unit based on the temperature inside the enclosure and the voltage output of the photovoltaic array.
The cooling unit can include a cooling air fan. The cooling unit can include an air conditioner. Controlling the cooling unit can include maintaining the inverter at a second temperature sufficient to allow the inverter to be overdriven to increase power output by at least 5% or at least 15% over the rated power output. Controlling the cooling unit comprises maintaining the temperature in the enclosure below about 50 degrees C., 30 degrees C., or 20 degrees C.
Inverters are rated for operation at a temperature point (typically 50 degrees C.). Operating temperature can be optimized to provide even better performance that that obtained at the rated temperature, to increase the current capabilities of a given inverter. For example, an inverter might be able to provide 100% of capacity up to 50 degree C. However at 40 degree C. it may be able to provide 115% of capacity. In practice, these inverters are often installed inside an enclosure that provides environmental protection. The enclosure can have both fan cooling and air conditioning. When the temperate is not very high, the enclosure can only run fans to bring in outdoor air that can be used to cool the inverter. Under hot conditions, the fans turn off and a separate air conditioning system is run. Air conditioning uses a lot of power so running air conditioning results in reduced photovoltaic array output power.
Referring to FIG. 1, solar power system 100 can include photovoltaic or solar array 110. Solar modules 110 can be arranged in any suitable manner, for example, in arrays positioned on the ground or on rooftops. Solar array 110 can include any suitable photovoltaic devices, including thin-film solar devices such as cadmium telluride (CdTe) or copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS). Alternatively, the photovoltaic devices can be crystalline silicon solar devices or any other suitable photovoltaic devices capable of generating direct current electricity. DC electric current generated by photovoltaic array 110 can output to DC to AC inverter 140 by cable 120.
DC to AC inverter 140 can include any suitable apparatus or combination which can convert DC current from a photovoltaic array to AC current. DC to AC inverter 140 can include any suitable mechanical device, electromechanical device, electrical or electronic device, or any suitable combination thereof. DC to AC inverter 140 can include a modified sine wave inverter. DC to AC inverter 140 can include a pure sine wave inverter. DC to AC inverter 140 can include a generator, alternator, or motor, or any suitable combination thereof. DC to AC inverter 140 can include a solid-state inverter. DC to AC inverter 140 can be installed in enclosure 130. Solar power system 100 can include cooling unit 150. Cooling unit can include an air fan or air conditioner. Solar power system 100 can include cooling unit controller 160.
The inverter units typically have a very simple cooling system that turn on the air conditioner when the temperature reaches a certain set point. For example it could be set to 40 degree C. and at that point the air conditioner would be turn on. Below that temperature, the air conditioner will be off. However this one variable control scheme does not factor in the true performance capability of the inverter. If the PV array is not producing much power, then the inverter could potentially run to 50 degree C. without air conditioning. In such case the air conditioning can be stay off. Similarly, if the PV array is producing a lot of power, it can be advantageous to cool the inverter and harvest the extra power. For example, the AC could be turned on to cool the inverter to 30 degree C., at which point the inverter may be able to be run at 125%. In some embodiments, this invention can have the controls embedded into the inverter or the controls could be external to the inverter. This enables the inverter to harvest the most power but use the AC the least amount possible.
Referring to FIG. 2, cooling unit 150 can include air fan 151 and air conditioner 152. Temperature sensor 170 can be positioned adjacent to the inverter. Temperature sensor 170 can be configured to monitor the temperature within the enclosure. Input power sensor 180 can be configured to monitor input power. Cooling unit controller 160 can be capable of controlling cooling unit 150 based on the input power and the temperature within the enclosure. In some embodiments, cooling unit controller 160 can control cooling unit 150 to maintain the inverter at a temperature sufficient to allow the inverter to be overdriven to have an optimized power output over the rated power output.
FIG. 3 includes a graphical representation of how an inverter can be overdriven in accordance with the present invention by the improved control scheme. Overdrive means the inverter can be maintained at a lower temperature to allow the inverter to expand power output capacity higher than the rated power output capacity. This invention allows overdrive to be enabled as much as possible without the need for air conditioning. Air conditioning can be activated, for example, when the PV array is producing a lot of power. Normal operation region 401 represents the cases that the unit can still run without air conditioning if the load of the inverter is less than 100%. Free overdrive region 402 represents the cases that the unit can still be overdriven without turning on air conditioning. This would cover “clipping” period (a relatively cool temperature, but sunshine sufficient to generate power in excess of the rated inverter output disclosed, for example, in the nameplate rating) without the need of air conditioning. Forced overdrive region 403 represents the cases that the unit can only possibly be overdriven by using air conditioning. With an external cooling source being used as a means of lowering the “ambient” temperature surrounding the inverter, the inverter can operate at a rating above its nameplate rating in region 403. The external cooling source can be an air conditioning module, an air circulation module, or any suitable means of lowering the “ambient” temperature.
The increased inverter output obtainable by the present invention can result in various efficiencies. First, as described above, selective overdriving of inverters can result in capturing of previously wasted photovoltaic array output during “clipping” period. Also, fewer inverters can be overdriven as necessary to equal the combined output of a greater number of inverters driven strictly in accordance with the nameplate rating. Additionally, smaller capacity inverters can be overdriven to equal the output of an equal number of larger capacity (according to nameplate rating) inverters. Further, air conditioning can be off to achieve higher efficiency, for example, during the simultaneous conditions of low output of PV array and high temperature.
A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should also be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention.

Claims (18)

1. A DC to AC inverter unit comprising:
an enclosure;
a DC to AC inverter within the enclosure, the inverter having a rated power output at a first temperature within the enclosure;
an input power sensor configured to monitor input power;
a temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature within the enclosure;
a cooling unit in thermal communication with the inverter; and
a cooling unit controller capable of adjusting the cooling unit based on the input power and the temperature within the enclosure.
2. The DC to AC inverter unit of claim 1, wherein the cooling unit controller adjusts the cooling unit to maintain the inverter at a second temperature sufficient to allow the inverter to be overdriven to have an optimized power output over the rated power output.
3. The DC to AC inverter unit of claim 1, wherein the cooling unit comprises a cooling air fan.
4. The DC to AC inverter unit of claim 1, wherein the cooling unit comprises an air conditioner.
5. The DC to AC inverter unit of claim 1, further comprising a DC input from a solar module to the DC to AC inverter.
6. The DC to AC inverter unit of claim 1, wherein the cooling unit controller adjusts the cooling unit to maintain the inverter at a second temperature sufficient to allow the inverter to be overdriven to increase power output by at least 5% over the rated power output.
7. The DC to AC inverter unit of claim 1, wherein the cooling unit controller adjusts the cooling unit to maintain the inverter at a second temperature sufficient to allow the inverter to be overdriven to increase power output by at least 15% over the rated power output.
8. The DC to AC inverter unit of claim 1, wherein the cooling unit controller adjusts the cooling unit to keep the temperature in the enclosure below about 50 degrees C.
9. The DC to AC inverter unit of claim 1, wherein the cooling unit controller adjusts the cooling unit to keep the temperature in the enclosure below about 30 degrees C.
10. The DC to AC inverter unit of claim 1, wherein the cooling unit controller adjusts the cooling unit to keep the temperature in the enclosure below about 20 degrees C.
11. A method of cooling a DC to AC inverter, comprising:
measuring the temperature inside an enclosure cooled by a cooling unit, the enclosure including a DC to AC inverter having a rated power output at a first temperature, wherein the DC to AC inverter is electrically connected to a photovoltaic array;
measuring the voltage output of the photovoltaic array; and
controlling the cooling unit based on the temperature inside the enclosure and the voltage output of the photovoltaic array.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the cooling unit comprises a cooling air fan.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the cooling unit comprises an air conditioner.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein controlling the cooling unit comprises maintaining the inverter at a second temperature sufficient to allow the inverter to be overdriven to increase power output by at least 5% over the rated power output.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein controlling the cooling unit comprises maintaining the inverter at a second temperature sufficient to allow the inverter to be overdriven to increase power output by at least 15% over the rated power output.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein controlling the cooling unit comprises maintaining the temperature in the enclosure below about 50 degrees C.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein controlling the cooling unit comprises maintaining the temperature in the enclosure below about 30 degrees C.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein controlling the cooling unit comprises maintaining the temperature in the enclosure below about 20 degrees C.
US12/722,181 2010-03-11 2010-03-11 Photovoltaic inverter Active 2030-10-09 US8243446B2 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/722,181 US8243446B2 (en) 2010-03-11 2010-03-11 Photovoltaic inverter
PCT/US2011/027838 WO2011112777A1 (en) 2010-03-11 2011-03-10 Photovoltaic inverter

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/722,181 US8243446B2 (en) 2010-03-11 2010-03-11 Photovoltaic inverter

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20110222242A1 US20110222242A1 (en) 2011-09-15
US8243446B2 true US8243446B2 (en) 2012-08-14

Family

ID=44559795

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/722,181 Active 2030-10-09 US8243446B2 (en) 2010-03-11 2010-03-11 Photovoltaic inverter

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US8243446B2 (en)
WO (1) WO2011112777A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103095098B (en) * 2011-10-27 2015-06-24 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 Frequency converter heat dissipation cooling system and control method and device thereof
TW201513541A (en) * 2013-09-26 2015-04-01 Delta Electronics Inc Micro inverter of solar power system and method of operating the same
CN104518694A (en) * 2013-09-26 2015-04-15 台达电子工业股份有限公司 Micro-inverter of solar power generation system and operation method thereof
US9927165B2 (en) * 2014-02-06 2018-03-27 Electronic Power Design, Inc. Hybrid cooling system
CN114413447B (en) * 2022-01-24 2023-05-02 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 Unit control method and device and photovoltaic multi-split air conditioning system

Citations (42)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5170336A (en) * 1990-03-05 1992-12-08 Dimensions Unlimited, Inc. DC to AC inverter with improved forced air cooling method and apparatus
US5612580A (en) * 1995-10-10 1997-03-18 Northrop Grumman Corporation Uninterruptible power system
US6000912A (en) * 1995-10-09 1999-12-14 Ebara Corporation Method of liquid-cooling an inverter device
US6038156A (en) * 1998-06-09 2000-03-14 Heart Interface Corporation Power inverter with improved heat sink configuration
US6191546B1 (en) * 1997-10-22 2001-02-20 Hewlett-Packard Company Proportional integral cooling device controller for electronic device
US6215682B1 (en) * 1998-09-18 2001-04-10 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Semiconductor power converter and its applied apparatus
US6233149B1 (en) * 1997-04-23 2001-05-15 General Electric Company High power inverter air cooling
US6278080B1 (en) * 1998-11-26 2001-08-21 Sansha Electric Manufacturing Company Limited Power supply apparatus
WO2001078176A1 (en) 2000-04-07 2001-10-18 Avista Laboratories, Inc. Full cell power systems, direct current voltage converters, fuel cell power generation methods, and power conditioning methods
US20030111908A1 (en) * 2001-12-14 2003-06-19 Christensen Peter C. Power system for supplying electrical power to a load
US6630622B2 (en) 2001-01-15 2003-10-07 Annemarie Hvistendahl Konold Combined solar electric power and liquid heat transfer collector panel
US6806415B2 (en) * 2000-11-10 2004-10-19 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Method for controlling a solar power generation system having a cooling mechanism
US20050257546A1 (en) * 2004-05-20 2005-11-24 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Cooling device controlling apparatus, cooling device failure detecting apparatus, cooling device failure detecting method, and computer readable recording medium recording program for causing computer to execute detection of failure of cooling device capable of detecting failure in short period efficiently
US6980450B2 (en) * 2002-01-24 2005-12-27 Inverters Unlimited, Inc. High power density inverter and components thereof
US20060017328A1 (en) 2003-02-10 2006-01-26 Bryde Jan H Control system for distributed power generation, conversion, and storage system
US7023712B2 (en) * 2002-10-17 2006-04-04 Vacon Oyj Cooling arrangement in frequency converter
US20060085167A1 (en) * 2003-04-04 2006-04-20 Warfield Donald B Performance monitor for a photovoltaic supply
US20070081372A1 (en) * 2005-10-08 2007-04-12 Xiong Zeng James J High performance inverter charger system
US20070202367A1 (en) * 2004-09-22 2007-08-30 Naohiro Yoshida Fuel Cell System And Fuel Cell System Failure Judgment Method
US20070279863A1 (en) * 2006-06-01 2007-12-06 Diehl Ako Stiftung & Co. Kg Solar inverter assembly
US7324361B2 (en) * 2005-01-28 2008-01-29 Kasemsan Siri Solar array inverter with maximum power tracking
US7345561B2 (en) * 2002-12-16 2008-03-18 Wacker Construction Equipment Ag Frequency converter with fan cooling
US7397653B2 (en) * 2005-04-07 2008-07-08 Pv Powered, Inc. Inverter design
US7538426B2 (en) * 2004-11-30 2009-05-26 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Cooling system of power semiconductor module
US7596008B2 (en) * 2005-02-25 2009-09-29 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Power conversion apparatus
US7598694B2 (en) * 2006-03-02 2009-10-06 Sansha Electric Manufacturing Company Limited Power supply apparatus
US20090316457A1 (en) 2008-06-18 2009-12-24 Sma Solar Technology Ag Inverter
US20100057267A1 (en) * 2008-08-27 2010-03-04 General Electric Company System and method for controlling ramp rate of solar photovoltaic system
US20100134959A1 (en) * 2008-11-11 2010-06-03 Fife John M Solar power inverters, including temperature-controlled solar power inverters, and associated systems and methods
US7738228B2 (en) * 2005-04-07 2010-06-15 Pv Powered, Inc. Inverter thermal protection
US20100231045A1 (en) * 2009-02-13 2010-09-16 First Solar, Inc. Photovoltaic Power Plant Output
US20100264739A1 (en) * 2009-04-15 2010-10-21 Monte Errington Modular adaptive power matrix
US20100275971A1 (en) * 2008-04-04 2010-11-04 Arthur R Zingher Scalable Dense PV Solar Receiver for High Concentration
US20100277002A1 (en) * 2009-11-24 2010-11-04 American Superconductor Corporation Power conversion systems
US20100302731A1 (en) * 2009-05-15 2010-12-02 Belikoff Michael A Inverter Cooler
US7855906B2 (en) * 2009-10-26 2010-12-21 General Electric Company DC bus voltage control for two stage solar converter
US20100319684A1 (en) * 2009-05-26 2010-12-23 Cogenra Solar, Inc. Concentrating Solar Photovoltaic-Thermal System
US7859241B2 (en) * 2007-11-07 2010-12-28 Tokyo Denki University Photovoltaic power generation controller and power evaluation method in photovoltaic power generation control
US20110015881A1 (en) * 2009-07-14 2011-01-20 Ford Global Technologies, Llc System and method for monitoring the state of health of a power electronic system
US20110118488A1 (en) * 2007-12-14 2011-05-19 Crystal Pharma, S.A. Process for obtaining 6-alkylidenandrost-1, 4-diene-3-one
US8023266B2 (en) * 2008-05-20 2011-09-20 Greenray Inc. AC photovoltaic module and inverter assembly
US8042993B2 (en) * 2007-12-21 2011-10-25 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Air-cooled power electronics service algorithm

Patent Citations (43)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5170336A (en) * 1990-03-05 1992-12-08 Dimensions Unlimited, Inc. DC to AC inverter with improved forced air cooling method and apparatus
US6000912A (en) * 1995-10-09 1999-12-14 Ebara Corporation Method of liquid-cooling an inverter device
US5612580A (en) * 1995-10-10 1997-03-18 Northrop Grumman Corporation Uninterruptible power system
US6233149B1 (en) * 1997-04-23 2001-05-15 General Electric Company High power inverter air cooling
US6191546B1 (en) * 1997-10-22 2001-02-20 Hewlett-Packard Company Proportional integral cooling device controller for electronic device
US6038156A (en) * 1998-06-09 2000-03-14 Heart Interface Corporation Power inverter with improved heat sink configuration
US6215682B1 (en) * 1998-09-18 2001-04-10 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Semiconductor power converter and its applied apparatus
US6278080B1 (en) * 1998-11-26 2001-08-21 Sansha Electric Manufacturing Company Limited Power supply apparatus
WO2001078176A1 (en) 2000-04-07 2001-10-18 Avista Laboratories, Inc. Full cell power systems, direct current voltage converters, fuel cell power generation methods, and power conditioning methods
US6806415B2 (en) * 2000-11-10 2004-10-19 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Method for controlling a solar power generation system having a cooling mechanism
US6630622B2 (en) 2001-01-15 2003-10-07 Annemarie Hvistendahl Konold Combined solar electric power and liquid heat transfer collector panel
US20030111908A1 (en) * 2001-12-14 2003-06-19 Christensen Peter C. Power system for supplying electrical power to a load
US6980450B2 (en) * 2002-01-24 2005-12-27 Inverters Unlimited, Inc. High power density inverter and components thereof
US7023712B2 (en) * 2002-10-17 2006-04-04 Vacon Oyj Cooling arrangement in frequency converter
US7345561B2 (en) * 2002-12-16 2008-03-18 Wacker Construction Equipment Ag Frequency converter with fan cooling
US20060017328A1 (en) 2003-02-10 2006-01-26 Bryde Jan H Control system for distributed power generation, conversion, and storage system
US20060085167A1 (en) * 2003-04-04 2006-04-20 Warfield Donald B Performance monitor for a photovoltaic supply
US20050257546A1 (en) * 2004-05-20 2005-11-24 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Cooling device controlling apparatus, cooling device failure detecting apparatus, cooling device failure detecting method, and computer readable recording medium recording program for causing computer to execute detection of failure of cooling device capable of detecting failure in short period efficiently
US20070202367A1 (en) * 2004-09-22 2007-08-30 Naohiro Yoshida Fuel Cell System And Fuel Cell System Failure Judgment Method
US7538426B2 (en) * 2004-11-30 2009-05-26 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Cooling system of power semiconductor module
US7324361B2 (en) * 2005-01-28 2008-01-29 Kasemsan Siri Solar array inverter with maximum power tracking
US7596008B2 (en) * 2005-02-25 2009-09-29 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Power conversion apparatus
US7397653B2 (en) * 2005-04-07 2008-07-08 Pv Powered, Inc. Inverter design
US7738228B2 (en) * 2005-04-07 2010-06-15 Pv Powered, Inc. Inverter thermal protection
US20070081372A1 (en) * 2005-10-08 2007-04-12 Xiong Zeng James J High performance inverter charger system
US7598694B2 (en) * 2006-03-02 2009-10-06 Sansha Electric Manufacturing Company Limited Power supply apparatus
US20070279863A1 (en) * 2006-06-01 2007-12-06 Diehl Ako Stiftung & Co. Kg Solar inverter assembly
US7859241B2 (en) * 2007-11-07 2010-12-28 Tokyo Denki University Photovoltaic power generation controller and power evaluation method in photovoltaic power generation control
US20110118488A1 (en) * 2007-12-14 2011-05-19 Crystal Pharma, S.A. Process for obtaining 6-alkylidenandrost-1, 4-diene-3-one
US8042993B2 (en) * 2007-12-21 2011-10-25 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Air-cooled power electronics service algorithm
US20100275971A1 (en) * 2008-04-04 2010-11-04 Arthur R Zingher Scalable Dense PV Solar Receiver for High Concentration
US8023266B2 (en) * 2008-05-20 2011-09-20 Greenray Inc. AC photovoltaic module and inverter assembly
US20090316457A1 (en) 2008-06-18 2009-12-24 Sma Solar Technology Ag Inverter
US20100057267A1 (en) * 2008-08-27 2010-03-04 General Electric Company System and method for controlling ramp rate of solar photovoltaic system
US20100134959A1 (en) * 2008-11-11 2010-06-03 Fife John M Solar power inverters, including temperature-controlled solar power inverters, and associated systems and methods
US20100231045A1 (en) * 2009-02-13 2010-09-16 First Solar, Inc. Photovoltaic Power Plant Output
US20100264739A1 (en) * 2009-04-15 2010-10-21 Monte Errington Modular adaptive power matrix
US20100302731A1 (en) * 2009-05-15 2010-12-02 Belikoff Michael A Inverter Cooler
US20100319684A1 (en) * 2009-05-26 2010-12-23 Cogenra Solar, Inc. Concentrating Solar Photovoltaic-Thermal System
US20110015881A1 (en) * 2009-07-14 2011-01-20 Ford Global Technologies, Llc System and method for monitoring the state of health of a power electronic system
US7855906B2 (en) * 2009-10-26 2010-12-21 General Electric Company DC bus voltage control for two stage solar converter
US7989983B2 (en) * 2009-11-24 2011-08-02 American Superconductor Corporation Power conversion systems
US20100277002A1 (en) * 2009-11-24 2010-11-04 American Superconductor Corporation Power conversion systems

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PV GAP Inverters for photovoltaic (PV) stand-alone systems. Manual [online]. Project Management Office (PMO), World Bank/GEF Assisted China Renewable Energy Development Project, State Economic and Trade Comission, Beijing, People's Republic of China-Sep. 2002, Retrieved from http://www.iecee.org/pv/pvrs/PVRS8A.pdf on Apr. 27, 2011.
PV GAP Inverters for photovoltaic (PV) stand-alone systems. Manual [online]. Project Management Office (PMO), World Bank/GEF Assisted China Renewable Energy Development Project, State Economic and Trade Comission, Beijing, People's Republic of China—Sep. 2002, Retrieved from http://www.iecee.org/pv/pvrs/PVRS8A.pdf on Apr. 27, 2011.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20110222242A1 (en) 2011-09-15
WO2011112777A1 (en) 2011-09-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
Meral et al. A review of the factors affecting operation and efficiency of photovoltaic based electricity generation systems
CA2975601C (en) Interface for renewable energy system
US10193346B2 (en) Interface for renewable energy system
CA2765018C (en) Hvac/r system having power back-up system
US8482163B2 (en) Inverter cooler
US8243446B2 (en) Photovoltaic inverter
Cherif et al. Energy output estimation of hybrid Wind-Photovoltaic power system using statistical distributions.
US9246330B2 (en) Photovoltaic device
US8294303B2 (en) Photovoltaic grounding
Wareesri et al. A three-phase PV-pump inverter with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller
US20060250783A1 (en) Inverter operation modes
Leow et al. PIC 18F4550 controlled solar panel cooling system using DC hybrid
KR101278113B1 (en) The high-efficient solar ray panel planting devices
Al-Wajih et al. Improving the performance of solar panels by automated water cooling system and IoT
US20070086215A1 (en) Inverter operation modes
KR100962338B1 (en) Power value control module, solar panel device having same, power value control method of solar panel
KR20140093355A (en) Photovoltaic system that contains the string voltage booster
Tahseen et al. Life Cycle Performance & Analysis of 100kw Solar PV Plant
Majid et al. Design and performance of 20 watts portable solar generator
JP7424351B2 (en) power conditioner
CN102545374A (en) Method without needing direct connection between solar cell panels and cells, device and system
CA2728619A1 (en) A renewable power control system
Rajaeian et al. Designing a 1 MW photovoltaic farm and studying the effect of wind speed on its performance in the climatic conditions of Yazd province
KR20150032053A (en) Grid-connected Photovoltaic Inverter with Voltage Source Operation
Anagreh Performance of single-phase induction motor drive fed by photovoltaic energy source

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: FIRST SOLAR, INC., OHIO

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:THOMPSON, CHRISTOPHER;REEL/FRAME:024121/0065

Effective date: 20100312

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

AS Assignment

Owner name: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., ILLINOIS

Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:FIRST SOLAR, INC.;REEL/FRAME:030832/0088

Effective date: 20130715

AS Assignment

Owner name: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., ILLINOIS

Free format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENT APPLICATION 13/895113 ERRONEOUSLY ASSIGNED BY FIRST SOLAR, INC. TO JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. ON JULY 19, 2013 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 030832 FRAME 0088. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CORRECT PATENT APPLICATION TO BE ASSIGNED IS 13/633664;ASSIGNOR:FIRST SOLAR, INC.;REEL/FRAME:033779/0081

Effective date: 20130715

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

AS Assignment

Owner name: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ILLINOIS

Free format text: PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:FIRST SOLAR, INC.;REEL/FRAME:043177/0581

Effective date: 20170710

Owner name: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

Free format text: PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:FIRST SOLAR, INC.;REEL/FRAME:043177/0581

Effective date: 20170710

MAFP Maintenance fee payment

Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 8TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1552); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

Year of fee payment: 8

AS Assignment

Owner name: FIRST SOLAR, INC., ARIZONA

Free format text: TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:058132/0566

Effective date: 20210825

Owner name: FIRST SOLAR, INC., ARIZONA

Free format text: TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:058132/0261

Effective date: 20210825

AS Assignment

Owner name: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ILLINOIS

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FIRST SOLAR, INC.;REEL/FRAME:064237/0462

Effective date: 20230630

MAFP Maintenance fee payment

Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 12TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1553); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

Year of fee payment: 12